One area of your home that may be overlooked when reducing VOCs is right under your feet! Different types of flooring materials give off various VOCs and it’s definitely an area you want to pay attention to when reducing your indoor air quality. Luckily, when moving into a new home, having a baby or sprucing up a space, it’s often a project to consider and a great long term investment.
When researching your options, think about the area you’re updating to help determine the best material to use. For example, you may not want solid hardwoods in a bathroom or kitchen since water and wood don’t jive well. Or you may not like the idea of cold ceramic tiles in bedrooms. Hardwood and ceramic give off the lowest pollutants, however there are other options for many budget points.
Whatever flooring choice you pick, the adhesives, layers and mortar are extra materials and chemicals to keep in mind. Ceramic title in general is low to zero VOCs, but the mortar, grout and dust from cutting used to finish the job may have toxins. A great alternative are floating floors, no adhesives needed and usually minimal cuts depending on the room. I came across this article while research for our own home and found it very informative:
If you do decide on solid flooring and want to warm up rooms or maybe a full replacement isn’t in the budget, area rugs are a good alternative. But don’t just pick any rug. Remember, the less ingredients in both your food and textiles, the better! Make sure they have no dyes, latex or chemicals. Wool is a common fabric you’ll come across, however being vegan I shop for cotton, hemp, bamboo or recycled cotton (sustainable and green!). Some companies to look into are Hook & loom, Natural Area Rugs, or even Pottery Barn has options.
Know that making this change will not only enhance your health and comfort but also increase the value of your home=win – win!
Kelly's Healthy Home 
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